The Country Side of New Jersey
Triplets
Posted by Betty (Phillipsburg, United States) on 27 April 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
This family of black bears were in front of my neightbor's home Saturday! Three cubs and a mother were there. Tomorrow I'll post the photo with Mom.
@mosleh: Thank you!
Barbara from Florida, United States
Fantastic Capture! They sure get into mischief. I like the position you captured them in. Looking forward to seeing Mom!
27 Apr 2008 5:30am
@Barbara: They sure do get into mischief... we see bears here more than we see deer! I was waiting for them to show up at this house, these people feed the birds and throw down corn for the deer and turkeys... so of course the bears are regular visitors!
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
WOW .............. and we have them here in Florida too, but thankfully not in OUR yard!
What a photo op they offered - and this is a perfect catch!
27 Apr 2008 9:02am
@Judy: Thank you, Judy!
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
WOW whatever you do don't worry Mama Bear ...gorgeous trio!
27 Apr 2008 10:59am
@Lorraine: You are absolutely right, Lorraine... my daughter and I were there in her car - for safety, but I got out to get a better perspective. Jess kept saying I was too far from the car, get closer, don't wander. I'd get butterflies in my stomach every time Mom turned and looked in our direction! But I had to get the shots! They were maybe, 100 feet from us. The triplets are just about the same size as Mom, so I imagine this is the year she'll leave them to fend for themselves.
Anita from West Nottingham, United States
Goodness! I would feel a bit nervous with this trio looking in my window. Nice shot!!!
27 Apr 2008 11:25am
@Anita: I would be very nervous if they were outside my window... especially when the food is gone. Other bears have broken into houses for food!
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
Wonderful. I hope they got something to eat because they look hungry!
27 Apr 2008 11:38am
@Michael Skorulski: They are very well fed, the people that live in this house feed the wildife in this area, and that attracts these bears... and others.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
BIG CONGRATS on capturing this great shot! Aside from the fact that it would be dangerous to get between kiddie bears and mommy bear, this must have been fantastic to actually see. You just gotta use common sense in environments where black bears and other large predators might live. It is a hopeful sign, I think, when animals like these and human settlements can sort of co-exist.
27 Apr 2008 11:41am
@Viewfinder: Thank you very much, Viewfinder! It was fantastic to see! We see the occasional lone bear in this area, but to see three babies and mommy is incredible! This foursome have been in our area for two years now and I have been waiting to see them like this and get some photos! Here in northwestern New Jersey, bears are getting to be a problem because their population has exloded... and with large areas being built up, they are losing their habitat! I think they are beautiful, give them lots of room, stopped feeding the birds because it attracts them to my yard, and put my garbage out the morning of pick up... because you can be sure it'll be all over the road the next morning! You have to learn to live with them, and respect them! I also have a cat that lost an eye due to an encounter with a bear in 1995! My cats stay indoors now.
MJ from Delaware, United States
great shot.... good composition.... I keep teaching you such bad things like getting out of the car!!!!!!!!!!
27 Apr 2008 12:27pm
@MJ: Thanks, MJ. That's right, that is an MJ "trait"!!!!
Observing from Chester, United Kingdom
Whoa... aren't they an unruly bunch, they need discipline. A cracking shot, but are these bears dangerous being so close to the neighborhood.
27 Apr 2008 12:47pm
@Observing: Adolescent bears! They were quiet yesterday. We learned to live with them in peace, give them lots of room! I think they are beautiful animals... but respect that they are wild animals!
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
The look like a handful for mom too... great shot.
27 Apr 2008 2:00pm
@Earnest: They probably are a handful for Mom, since they are almost her size now! Thanks!
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
That's fantastic. I love bears. I didn't realize this was a site you could find in Jersey.
27 Apr 2008 2:36pm
@Twelvebit: It's a sight you see more and more in northwestern New Jersey! We have to be very much aware of our surroundings!
@Craig: Thanks, Craig.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Oh thats so cute, an amazing sight to wake up to.
27 Apr 2008 8:29pm
@Richard_Irwin: Thankfully, that's a neighbor's house... not mine. I wouldn't want them here that often! They usually just pass through my yard!
baobab from Cambridge, United States
hmm... not sure I'd want bears in my yard! Great capture of the cubs having fun.
27 Apr 2008 8:55pm
@baobab: They sure love those bird feeders! Thanks for your comment.
Sandrine from Cincinnati, United States
Such a cute capture! They look like they are having fun!
27 Apr 2008 9:03pm
@Sandrine: Thanks, Sandrine.
standley from Brou-sur-Chantereine, France
Great capture. Looking forward to seeing Mom!
27 Apr 2008 9:08pm
@standley: Thanks, Standley.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
Very nice shot but don't get between momma bear and her babies. You live in quite the wilderness.
28 Apr 2008 12:53am
@Michael Rawluk: Thank you, Michael. I was very much aware of Mom and where she was, and stayed very close to the car! She watched pretty close. We do have a lot of wildlife in this area, Harmony Township is still pretty much forest, farms and mountains.
@Rags: The bears in this area have not been violent so far... except for the occasional house break in for food. They are beautiful animals, but you have to remember that they are wild... evidenced by their claws and teeth. These bears are small compared to some of the males that have been in this area.
Konica Minolta MAXXUM 7D
1/250 second
F/6.7
ISO 100
375 mm (35mm equiv.)